Related Articles

Items you will need

Computer

Internet

Bridal magazines

A wedding prayer can be performed at your wedding reception, whether you've had a religious or civil ceremony. The wedding prayer should suit your religious devotion and represent your beliefs and values as a couple. Find inspiration from friends and relatives' receptions, wedding scenes from the movies, or bridal magazines and websites. Have someone important deliver the prayer before you and your guests begin to eat at the reception. Depending on the type of reception you are hosting, you may need to read the prayer after the guests have been welcomed instead of immediately before the food is served.

Religious Prayers

Step 1

Read the Bible and listen to church sermons. Highlight scriptures that you find meaningful or relevant to your commitment. Write down passages from sermons that you enjoy. Those that move you can be incorporated into the wedding prayer.

Step 2

Talk with your minister, father, bishop, rabbi or other spiritual officiant about options for the wedding prayer. If they are performing your wedding ceremony, you will typically ask them to also perform the prayer at the reception. The religious officiant usually will have performed wedding prayers before and may be able to guide you with examples other couples have used.

Step 3

Ask your religious officiant if they have a traditional prayer they customarily say to bless couples. If the answer is yes, you will have to ask if it is possible to vary the prayer or if he can read a different one of your choosing. If that is not possible, you should ask to hear the prayer he will read and if that does not suit your needs consider asking someone else to read the prayer so you can create an original blessing.

Civil Ceremonies

Step 1

Search wedding websites for prayers that have more subtle religious tones that will be appropriate for a civil wedding reception. Be creative with blessings you find; you can alter the words to suit your needs or piece different prayers together to create one that fits your wedding.

Step 2

Alter a traditional religious prayer to be non-denominational. Instead of thanking God for blessing your union, thank your parents for giving birth to each of you. Thank friends and family for support and guidance.

Step 3

Write your own prayer. Give thanks to everyone who has helped you create a successful union; congratulate the couple on finding love and their parents for raising successful individuals. Ask that the couple's love last and that they be eternally happy together. Instead of focusing on God and what he has done to bring the couple together, focus on the couple's love and their devotion to one another.

Tips

Decide on the length and tone you want for the prayer before you begin searching.

If you are asking a friend or family member to give the prayer, be clear to tell them what you would like to hear in the prayer and ask if he will be writing it.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images

About the Author

Nikki Van De Walle began writing in 2005. She has written articles for Humber College's "Daily Planet" and Guelph-Humber's "Radix." She graduated from the University of Guelph-Humber in 2010 with honors, receiving her Honors Bachelor of Applied Arts in media studies as well as her Diploma in Journalism.